Method and apparatus for assembling a rotatable machine and a method for operating the apparatus

ABSTRACT

A method of operating apparatus for assembling a rotatable assembly adapted for use in a dynamoelectric machine. In this method, a set of cams are drivingly engaged with a set of cam followers on a set of holders for a set of magnet material elements to move the holders toward assembly positions spacing the inner arcuate surfaces of the magnet material elements within a preselected spatial range from a circumferential surface of at least one rotatable member of the rotatable assembly with the at least one rotatable assembly being arranged in a preselected located position in the apparatus. Apparatus is also disclosed.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation-in-part of the commonly assignedapplication Ser. No. 593,840 filed Mar. 27, 1984 which is incorporatedby reference herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates in general to dynamoelectric machines and inparticular to improved apparatus for assembling a rotatable assembly andan improved method of operating such apparatus.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the past, various different methods have been utilized to securearcuate shaped magnet material elements formed of a frangible materialto a circumferential surface of a rotor core. In one of these pastmethods, the rotor core was provided with protrusions which wereassociated in displacement preventing engagement with the arcuate magnetmaterial elements thereby to maintain them in place seated against thecircumferential surface of the rotor core. In another of the pastmethods, a fiber, plastic or metallic wrap or sleeve was providedenveloping at least the arcuate outer surfaces of the magnet materialelements thereby to maintain the magnet material elements againstdisplacement from their seated engagement with the circumferentialsurface of the rotor core.

In still another of the aforementioned past methods of securing arcuatemagnet material elements to a rotor core, a hardenable adhesive materialwas applied to at least one of the circumferential surface of the rotorcore and the arcuate inner surfaces of the magnet material elements.After such application of the hardenable adhesive material, the arcuateinner surfaces of the magnet material elements were seated or abuttedagainst the circumferential surface of the rotor core, and in thisposition, the permanent magnet material elements and the circumferentialsurface of the rotor core were merely clamped together until thehardenable adhesive material set or hardened thereby to adhere togetherthe magnet material elements and the circumferential surface of therotor core. Since both the arcuate inner surfaces of the magnet materialelements and the circumferential surface of the rotor core may have highpoints or areas due to tolerance variations during the manufacturethereof, it is believed that the arcuate inner surfaces of magnetmaterial elements and the circumferential surface rotor core were atleast in part in surface-to-surface engagement with each other. Due atleast in part to such aforementioned surface-to-surface engagement, itis believed that one of the disadvantageous or undesirable features ofthis past method was that some of the frangible arcuate magnet materialelements may have fractured or cracked when pressure or force wasapplied thereto to clamp them against the rotor core. Since the highpoints or areas on the arcuate inner surfaces of the magnet materialelements and the circumferential surface of the rotor core effected bythe aforementioned tolerance variations were clamped directly into theaforementioned surface-to-surface engagement, another disadvantageous orundesirable features of this past method is believed to be thatdependable uniform bond strengths of the hardenable adhesive materialcould not be attained between the arcuate inner surfaces of the magnetmaterial elements and the circumferential surface of the rotor core. Dueto this nonuniformity of bond strength, it is also believed that therotor assemblies fabricated by this past method may have been acceptablefor use in low speed motor applications, such as ceiling fans forinstance, but might not have been unacceptable in relatively high speedmotor applications, such as clothes washers and various hermetic motorapplications for instance. Additionally, it is further believed thatanother disadvantageous or undesirable feature of rotatable assembliesfabricated by the past method was that the outside diameter orcircumference thereof was not constant since the radial distance betweenthe circumferential surface of the rotor core and the arcuate outersurface of each permanent magnet material element may have varied due tothe aforementioned tolerance buildup therebetween. While the prior artrotatable assemblies believed to have the above discusseddisadvantageous feature may have been acceptable for some relatively lowspeed motor applications, it is believed that they may be too far out ofbalance for use in a motor application of relatively high speeds, sayfor instance, at least about nine thousand revolutions per minute (9000rpm) or above. Also with respect to the prior art rotatable assembliesbelieved to have the above discussed disadvantageous feature, it isbelieved that a flux gap between a stator bore and the aforementionednon-coaxial outer arcuate surfaces of the permanent magnet materialelements on such prior art rotatable assemblies may have beendeleteriously affected.Furthermore, it is also believed that anotherdisadvantageous or undesirable feature of rotatable assembliesmanufactured by this past method was that the arc lengths of thepermanent magnet material elements may not have been evenly distributedabout the circumferential surface of the rotor core thereby also toeffect a too far out of balance rotatable assembly for use in theaforementioned higher speed motor applications.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Among the several objects of the present invention may be noted theprovision of an improved apparatus for assembling a rotatable assemblyand an improved method of operating such apparatus which overcomes theabove discussed disadvantageous or undesirable features, as well asothers, of the prior art; the provision of such improved apparatus andmethod in which camming means is selectively actuated to effect camdriven movement of a set of means for receiving the magnet materialelements toward assembly positions with respect to at least onerotatable member of the rotatable assembly disposed in a preselectedlocated position in the apparatus, respectively; the provision of suchimproved apparatus and method in which the camming means defines atleast in part not only the assembly positions but also at-rest positionsof the receiving means, respectively; the provision of such improvedapparatus and method in which the magnet material elements aremagnetically retained on the receiving means therefor, respectively; theprovision of such improved apparatus and method in which a set of meansis associated with the magnet material elements for adjusting them intopreselected positions therefor on the receiving means upon the movementof the receiving means toward the assembly positions thereof and withthe adjusting means being actuated to a displaced position with respectto the receiving means subsequent to the adjustment of the magnetmaterial elements into their preselected positions, respectively; theprovision of such improved apparatus and method in which the arcuatelengths of the magnet material elements are more evenly distributedabout the circumferential surface of the at least one rotatable member,respectively; and the provision of such improved apparatus and method inwhich the components utilized are simple in design, easily assembled andeconomically manufactured. These as well as other objects andadvantageous features of the present invention wil be in part apparentand in part pointed out hereinafter.

In general, apparatus is provided in one form of the invention forassembling a rotatable assembly adapted for use in a dynamoelectricmachine. The rotatable assembly includes at least one rotatable memberhaving a circumferential surface, a set of magnet material elementshaving generally arcuate inner and outer surfaces, and a hardenableadhesive material disposed on at least one of the arcuate inner surfacesof the magnet material elements and the circumferential surface of theat least one rotatable member, respectively. The apparatus comprisesmeans for disposing the at least one rotatable member in a preselectedposition and a set of means movable toward assembly positions withrespect to the at least one rotatable member in the preselected positionthereof and adapted for receiving the magnet material elements inpreselected positions thereon with the arcuate inner surfaces of themagnet material elements arranged generally in facing relation with thecircumferential surface of the at least one rotatable member,respectively. Means is operable generally for camming said receivingmeans toward their assembly positions so as to space the arcuate innersurfaces of the magnet material elements within a preselected spatialrange from the circumferential surface of the at least one rotatablemember in the peselected position thereof with the hardenable adhesivematerial at least filling the space established between the arcuateinner surfaces of the magnet material elements and the circumferentialsurface of the at least one rotatable member, respectively.

Also in general and in one form of the invention, a method is providedfor operating apparatus for assembling a rotatable assembly adapted foruse in a dynamoelectric machine. The rotatable assembly includes atleast one rotatable member having a circumferential surface, and a setof magnet material elements having generally arcuate inner and outersurfaces, respectively. The apparatus includes a set of means adaptedfor receiving the magnet material elements, a set of cam followersassociated with the receiving means and camming means adapted forselective actuation and having a set of cams thereon, respectively. Inpracticing this method, the at least one rotatable member is placed in apreselected position in the apparatus with respect to the receivingmeans, respectively. The magnet material elements are received in thereceiving means, and the magnet material elements are adjusted intopreselected positions therefor on the receiving means, respectively. Theselective actuation of the camming means is effected, and the camsthereof are drivingly engaged with the cam followers of the receivingmeans, respectively. The receiving means are cammed generally conjointlyinto assembly positions therefor with respect to the at least onerotatable member in its preselected position, and the arcuate innersurfaces of the magnet material elements in the preselected positionsthereof on the receiving means are spaced within a preselected spatialrange from the circumferential surface of the at least one rotatablemember upon the camming of the receiving means into the assemblypositions thereof, respectively.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded isometric view of a rotatable assembly adapted foruse in a dynamoelectric machine;

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing apparatus in one form of the invention forassembling the rotatable assembly in FIG. 1 and including a retractableclamp for adjustably effecting the disposition of a magnet materialelement in a preselected position therefor on means for receiving it andalso illustrating principles which may be practiced in a method foroperating such apparatus in one form of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a partial plan view taken from FIG. 2 illustrating only one ofthe receiving means for one of the magnet material elements in anat-rest position thereof;

FIG. 4 is generally the same as FIG. 3 but showing the receiving meansadvanced to the assembly or advanced position thereof;

FIG. 5 is a partial sectional view taken along line 5--5 in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged partial plan view taken from FIG. 2 illustratingthe association of the retractable clamp associated with the receivingmeans in the at-rest position thereof, respectively;

FIG. 7 is a side elevational view partially in section of theretractable clamp and receiving means of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is generally the same as FIG. 7 but showing the retractable clampactuated to its pivotally displaced or retracted position;

FIG. 9 is a partial plan view taken from FIG. 6 and illustrating theretractable clamp conjointly advanced with the receiving means towardintermediate positions thereof, respectively;

FIG. 10 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 10--10 in FIG. 2and additionally illustrating a rotor core and shaft mounted in theapparatus;

FIG. 11 is generally the same as FIG. 2 but showing the apparatusactuated to illustrate arcuate inner surfaces of the magnet materialelements spaced within a preselected spatial range from acircumferential surface of the rotor core defining a part of therotatable assembly and with a hardenable adhesive material filling thespaces established therebetween;

FIG. 12 is an enlarged partial view taken from FIG. 11 illustrating anarcuate inner surface of one of the magnet material elements disposedwithin the preselected spatial range from the circumferential surface ofthe rotor core with an arcuate outer surface of the magnet materialelement in its located position predeterminately defining a preselectedoutside diameter of the rotatable assembly; and

FIGS. 13A-13D and 14A-14D are respectively schematic representationsillustrating the spacing of gaps which may occur due to tolerancevariations in the arcuate length of the magnet material elements whenthe magnet material elements are predeterminately located with respectto the rotor core in the present invention as compared with such gapswhich may occur in the prior art assembly of magnet material elements toa rotor core without such predetermined location.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding partsthroughout the several views of the drawings.

The exemplifications set out herein illustrate the preferred embodimentsof the invention in one form thereof, and such exemplifications are notto be construed as limiting either the scope of the disclosure or thescope of the invention in any manner.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawings in general, there is illustrated in oneform of the invention a method of operating apparatus 21 for assemblinga rotatable assembly 23 adapted for use in a dynamoelectric machine (nowshown) (FIGS. 1-12). Rotatable assembly 23 includes at least onerotatable member, such as a rotor core 25 or the like for instance,having a circumferential surface 27 and a set of magnet materialelements 29, 29a, 29b having generally arcuate inner and outer surfaces31, 31a, 31b and 33, 33a, 33b, respectively (FIG. 1). Apparatus 21includes a set of means, such as holders 35, 35a, 35b or the like forinstance, adapted for receiving magnet material elements 29, 29a, 29b, aset of cam followers 37, 37a, 37b associated with the receiving means orholders, and camming means, such as a rotatable cam plate 39 or the likefor instance, adapted for selective actuation or operation and having aset of cams or cam means 41, 41a, 41b therein, respectively (FIGS. 2-5).In practicing this method, the at least one rotatable member or rotorcore 25 is placed in a preselected located position in apparatus 21 withrespect to holders 35, 35a, 35b, respectively, and magnet materialelements 29, 29a, 29b are received in holders 35, 35a, 35b therefor(FIGS. 2, 3 and 10). The selective actuation of camming means or camplate 39 is effected, and cams 41, 41a, 41b thereof are drivinglyengaged with cam followers 37, 37a, 37b of holders 35, 35a, 35b,respectively (FIGS. 3-5). Thus, holders 35, 35a, 35b are cammedgenerally conjointly into assembly positions therefor with respect torotor core 25 in its preselected located position, and arcuate innersurfaces 31, 31a, 31b of magnet material elements 29, 29a, 29b arespaced within a preselected spatial range R from circumferential surface27 of the rotor core upon the camming of the holders into the assemblypositions thereof, respectively (FIGS. 4 and 11).

More particularly and with specific reference to FIG. 1, rotor core 25of rotatable assembly 23 includes a plurality of rotor laminations 43which may be interconnected into a stack thereof by suitable means wellknown to the art, such as welding or an interlocking tab construction orthe like for instance (not shown), thereby to form the rotor core havinggenerally cylindric circumferential surface 27 thereon. An opening orbore 45 through the lamination stack of rotor core 25 may be mounted orotherwise secured about a shaft 47 by suitable means, such as forinstance heat shrinking or press-fitting or the like, and the rotor coreand shaft have a rotational axis 49. While rotor core 25 formed oflaminations 43 is illustrated herein for purposes of disclosure, it iscontemplated that various other rotor cores having various differentconstructions, such as for instance a solid core, a centered metal coreor an edgewise strip wound core or a flux ring or the like, and mountedonto a shaft by various other methods or constructions may be utilizedwithin the scope of the invention so as to meet at least some of theobjects thereof.

In a preferred form of the invention, a preselected amount of ahardenable adhesive material 51 is applied in the illustrated beadedpattern thereof onto arcuate inner surfaces 31, 31a, 31b of magnetmaterial elements 29, 29a, 29b prior to the disposition thereof inapparatus 21, and an activator (not shown) for the hardenable adhesivematerial may be applied by suitable means, such as spraying or the likefor instance, onto circumferential surface 27 of rotor core 25 when itis mounted in the apparatus, as discussed in greater detail hereinafter.While hardenable adhesive material 51 and activator therefor discussedherein is Loctite 325 available from Loctite Corporation, Newington,Conn., it is contemplated that various other hardenable adhesivematerials may be utilized with or without activators within the scope ofthe invention so as to meet at least some of the objects thereof.Furthermore, although hardenable adhesive material 51 is illustratedherein as applied in a preselected amount and in a beaded pattern ontomagnet material elements 29, 29a, 29b, it is contemplated that randomamounts of the hardenable adhesive material may be utilized and that thehardenable adhesive material may be applied in various other patterns orin a coat thereof onto either the magnet material elements or thecircumferential surface of the rotor core or both within the scope ofthe invention so as to meet at least some of the objects thereof.

An end portion 53 of shaft 47 is manually placed or otherwise associatedin locating engagement with a mounting device or mounting means 55 ofapparatus 21, and the locating engagement of the shaft end portion withthe mounting device at least generally aligns rotational axis 49 ofrotor core 25 and shaft 47 with a preselected reference axis 57 ofapparatus 21 defined by the mounting device, as best seen in FIG. 10. Inthis manner, circumferential surface 27 of rotor core 25 is disposedgenerally coaxially about preselected reference axis 57 in apparatus 21and arranged generally concentrically in radially spaced relation with aset of arcuate seats or surfaces 59, 59a, 59b on holders 35, 35a, 35bwhen the holders are in the retracted or at-rest positions thereof, asbest seen in FIGS. 2 and 3. It may be noted that the arcs or curvaturesof arcuate seats 59, 59a, 59b are predeterminately arranged to definethe predetermined outside diameter D of rotatable assembly 23 whenholders 35, 35a, 35b are in their advanced or assembly positionslocating the seats with respect to each other, as best seen in FIGS. 4and 11 and as discussed in greater detail hereinafter.

With hardenable adhesive material 51 applied onto arcuate inner surfaces31, 31a, 31b of magnet material elements 29, 29a, 29b, as previouslydiscussed, the magnet material elements are manually placed or arrangedin holders 35, 35a, 35b for receiving or supporting them on rotatableplate 39 when the holders are in the retracted positions thereof, asbest seen in FIGS. 2, 3 and 10, respectively; however, only one of theholders and magnet material elements is illustrated in FIGS. 3-9 forpurposes of drawing simplicity, the others are discussed in conjunctiontherewith hereinafter. Upon the placement of magnet material elements29, 29a, 29b into holders 35, 35a, 35b therefor on cam plate 39, arcuateouter surfaces 33, 33a, 33b of the magnet material elements are disposedat least adjacent arcuate seats 59, 59a, 59b in facing orsurface-to-surface engagement or relation therewith, and arcuate innersurfaces 31, 31a, 31b of the magnet material elements are disposed infacing relation with circumferential surface 27 of rotor core 25 in itspreselected located position with rotational axis 49 of rotor core 25and shaft 47 aligned with preselected axis 57 of apparatus 21,respectively. Means, such as a set of permanent magnets 61, 61a, 61b orthe like for instance, are associated with holders 35, 35a, 35b formagnetic attraction or magnetic coupling relation with magnet materialelements 29, 29a, 29b thereby to insure or maintain thesurface-to-surface relation of arcuate outer surfaces 33, 33a, 33b onthe magnet material elements with arcuate seats 59, 59a, 59b therefor onthe holders, respectively; however, while the permanent magnets areillustrated herein for purposes of disclosure, it is contemplated thatvarious other means may be associated with the holders for magneticallyattracting the magnet material elements within the scope of theinvention so as to meet at least some of the objects thereof. Althoughmagnet material elements 29, 29a, 29b are disclosed herein as beingmanually placed into holders 35, 35a, 35b therefor, it is contemplatedthat various different transfer or robotic devices may be associatedwith apparatus 21 for automatically loading or feeding the magneicmaterial elements into the holders therefor within the scope of theinvention so as to meet at least some of the objects thereof.

Magnet material elements, 29, 29a, 29b may be formed of a frangibleferrite ceramic material and are available from Crucible MagneticsDivision of Colt Industries, Elizabethtown, Ky. While magnet materialelements 29, 29a, 29b are illustrated herein for purposes of disclosure,it is contemplated that various other magnet material elements ofdifferent configurations and formed of different materials may beutilized within the scope of the invention so as to meet at least someof the objects thereof. Further, in a preferred form of the invention,magnet material elements 29, 29a, 29b are not permanently magnetizeduntil after the assembly of rotatable assembly 23 is completed. Magnetmaterial elements 29, 29a, 29b are provided with a pair of generallyradially extending opposite side or marginal edges 63, 63a, 63b and 65,65a, 65b which are interposed between arcuate inner surfaces 31, 31a,31b and arcuate outer surfaces 33, 33a, 33b of the magnet materialelements thereby to define the arcuate lengths thereof, as best seen inFIG. 1. It may be noted that the curvature or radius of arcuate locatingsurfaces 59, 59a, 59b of holders 35, 35a, 35b generally correspond tothose of arcuate outer surfaces 33, 33a, 33b of magnet material elements29, 29a, 29b, and the arcuate length of the arcuate locating surfacesare predeterminately less than the arcuate length of the magnet materialelements.

Upon the loading of magnet material elements 29, 29a, 29b into holders35, 35a, 35b therefor, as discussed above, actuating means (not shown)of any suitable type known to the art operably associated with cam plate39 may be actuated for effecting the actuation or selective rotation inone direction of the cam plate through a preselected arc or angle ofrotation, as indicated by the rotational arrow in FIG. 3. When soinitially rotated in the one direction, cams or cam grooves 41, 41a, 41bare drivingly engaged with cam followers 37, 37a, 37b associated withholders 35, 35a, 35b to effect their movement from the at-rest positionstoward the assembly positions thereof, as best seen in FIGS. 4, 5 and11. Of course, during this cammed movement of holders 35, 35a, 35b, aset of means, such as tracks or guides 69, 69a, 69b or the like forinstance, are associated in sliding engagement with the holders forguiding them generally radially with respect to preselected referenceaxis 57 of apparatus 21, respectively. Upon the cam driven translationof holders 35, 35a, 35b from the at-rest positions to another orintermediate position thereof located between the at-rest and assemblypositions, opposite marginal edges 63, 63a, 63b and 65, 65a, 65b ofmagnet material elements 29, 29a, 29b carried by the holders are urgedor abutted in engagement with a set of pairs of means, such as generallyopposed abutments 71, 71a, 7b and 73, 73a, 73b or the like for instance,for engagement therewith arranged on a set of pairs of opposite spacedapart jaws or jaw means 75, 75a, 75b disposed in spanning relation withthe holders, respectively, as best seen in FIGS. 2 and 9. Upon thecaging of opposite marginal edges 63, 63a, 63b and 65, 65a, 65b ofmagnet material elements 29, 29a, 29b with opposed abutments 71, 71a,71b and 73, 73a, 73b of jaw 75, 75a, 75b, it may be noted that the jawsare conjointly movable from the at-rest positions thereof with holders35, 35a, 35b toward the intermediate positions against the compressiveforce of a set of pairs of resilient means, such as springs 77, 77a, 77bor the like for instance, associated in biasing relation with the jaws,respectively, as best seen in FIGS. 2, 6 and 9. It may also be notedthat in response to the aforementioned caging or engagement between theopposite marginal edges of magnet material elements 29, 29a, 29b and theopposed abutments on jaws 75, 75a, 75b at least during the conjointmovement thereof with holders 35, 35a, 35b toward the intermediatepositions thereof, as shown in FIG. 9, the centers of the arcuatelengths of the magnet material elements are not only centered betweenthe opposed abutments on the jaws but also are centered or aligned withthe centers of the arcuate lengths of arcuate seating surfaces 59, 59a,59b on the holders, respectively. Of course, when magnet materialelements 29, 29a, 29b are so adjustably moved into preselected orlocated positions thereof on holders 35, 35a, 35b therefor, theengagements of the opposed abutments on jaws 75, 75a, 75b with theopposite marginal edges of the magnet material elements effects themovement or adjustment of arcuate outer surfaces 33, 33a, 33b on themagnet material elements generally about or circumferentially on arcuateseating surfaces 59, 59a, 59b on the holders, while thesurface-to-surface relation therebetween is maintained by the magneticcoupling relation of permanent magnets 61, 61a, 61b with the magnetmaterial elements, respectively. In this manner, magnet materialelements 29, 29a, 29b are disposed in a preselected or centered positiontherefor with respect to holders 35, 35a, 35b, and aligned centers ofthe arcuate lengths of the magnet material elements and arcuate locatingsurfaces 59, 59a, 59b are also in radial alignment with preselectedreference axis 57 of apparatus 21. It may be noted that the locatingengagement between arcuate outer surfaces 33, 33a, 33b of magnetmaterial elements 29, 29a, 29b and arcuate seats 59, 59a, 59b thereformay not be flush since the arcuate outer surface may have high points orareas thereon due to manufacturing tolerance variations in the magnetmaterial elements; however, such locating engagements between thearcuate seats and the arcuate outer surfaces of the magnet materialelements determine the effective outside diameter D of rotatableassemlby 23 which will be uniform and controlled within closetolerances, as shown in FIG. 11 and discussed in greater detailhereinafter. Further, it may also be noted that the compressive forcesexerted by springs 77, 77a, 77b on jaws 75, 75a, 75b to effect thedisposition of magnet material elements 29, 29a, 29b in the preselectedpositions thereof on holders 35, 35a, 35b therefor are relatively lightbeing great enough to assure such locating engagement but not to causefracture of effect cracking or chipping of the magnet material elements.

With reference to FIGS. 13A-13D and 14A-14D, assume by way of examplethat the arcuate lengths between opposite marginal edges 63, 63a, 63band 65, 65a, 65b of magnet material elements 29, 29a, 29b vary withinpreselected tolerance limits from a maximum of 120° to a minimum of 117°thereby to have a tolerance variation of 3°. Theoretically, of course,if the arcuate length of all these magnet material elements is 120°, asindicated, the magnet material elements should occupy the entire 360°circumference of rotor 25 with the opposite marginal edges of the magnetmaterial elements touching or engaging each other. It may be argued thatthe no gap situation of FIGS. 13A and 14A would ever really occur due tothe tolerance variation, but the fact remains that if no means isprovided to prevent such a gap distribution, then it might occur. Forconvenience of discussion with respect to FIGS. 13B-13D and 14B-14D, aworst case gap distribution is shown therein with the gaps beingaccentuated for purpose of drawing simplicity. In FIGS. 13B and 14B, iftwo of the magnet material elements have minimum arcuate lengths whileone has a maximum arc length, then a gap of 6° may occur between magnetmaterial elements in the FIG. 13B illustration; however, in comparisontherewith, the maximum gap in the FIG. 14B illustration is only 3° withthe other two gaps being 1.5°. In FIGS. 13C and 14C, if two of themagnet material elements have maximum arcuate lengths while one has aminimum arc length, then a gap of 3° may occur in the FIG. 13Cillustration; however, in comparison therewith two maximum gaps of 1.5°may occur with one of the gaps being 0° in the FIG. 14C illustration. InFIGS. 13D and 14D, if all of the magnet material elements have minimumarcuate lengths of 117°, then a gap of 9° may occur between two of themagnet material elements in the FIG. 13D illustration; however, incomparison therewith, the gaps in the FIG. 14D illustration would be 3°evenly distributed between the magnet material elements. Thus, in thelight of the foregoing worst case illustrations, it may be noted thatwhen magnet material elements 29, 29a, 29b in their predeterminedlocations on holders 35, 35a, 35b therefor are arranged in associationwith circumferential surface 27 of rotor 25, as discussed hereinafter,the centering of the arcuate lengths of the magnet material elements onthe holders serves to distribute more uniformly the gaps betweenopposite marginal edges 63, 63a, 63b and 65, 65a, 65b between the magnetmaterial elements, respectively.

With magnet material elements 29, 29a, 29b adjustably moved to thepreselected positions thereof on holders 35, 35a, 35b, as discussedabove, the actuating means (not shown) for cam plate 39 may be furtheractuated to effect the selective rotation of the cam plate in anotherdirection opposite the directional arrow in FIG. 3. Upon this oppositerotation of cam plate 39, cams 41, 41a, 41b thereof are again drivinglyengaged with cam followers 37, 37a, 37b on holders 35, 35a, 35b toeffect the return or reversal movement of the holders from theintermediate positions toward the at-rest positions thereof, and thecompressive forces of springs 77, 77a, 77b effects the conjoint returnor reversal movement of jaws 75, 75a, 75b from the intermediatepositions toward the at-rest positions thereof with the holders,respectively, as shown in FIG. 6. At least when jaws 75, 75a, 75b are soreturned to their at-rest positions, a set of means, such as doubleacting air or hydraulic motors 79, 79a, 79b or the like for instance,may be energized or otherwise actuated for displacing the jaws pivotallywith respect to a set of means, such as supports 81, 81a, 81b or thelike for instance, for supporting the jaws on apparatus 21 towardpivotally displaced positions, respectively, as shown in FIG. 8. Withjaws 75, 75a, 75b so pivotally moved toward their displaced positions,opposed abutments 71, 71a, 71b and 73, 73a, 73b on the jaws aredisengaged from opposite marginal edges 63, 63a, 63b and 65, 65a, 65b onmagnet material elements 29, 29a, 29b which are disposed in thepreselected positions thereof on holders 35, 35a, 35b with respect toarcuate seats 59, 59a, 59b thereof, respectively. With jaws 75, 75a, 75bin the displaced positions thereof, the actuating means (not shown) forcam plate 39 may be again actuated or reactuated to again effect therotation of cam plate 39 in the direction of the directional arrow inFIG. 3, and in response to such rotation of the cam plate, cams 41, 41a,41b thereof are again drivingly engaged with cam followers 37, 37a, 37bof holders 35, 35a, 35b to effect the generally radial movement thereofalong guides 69, 69a, 69b outward the assembly positions of the holders,respectively, as best seen in FIGS. 4 and 11.

Upon the cammed movement of holders 35, 35a, 35b into the advanced orassembly positions thereof, arcuate seats 59, 59a, 59b are disposed withrespect to each other in positions defining the predetermined outsidediameter D of rotatable assembly 13, and arcuate outer surfaces 33, 33a,33b of magnet material elements 29, 29a, 29b are retained in thepreselected positions thereof on the holders by the action of permanentmagnets 61, 61a, 61b, respectively, as previously discussed. Further,the movement of holders 35, 35a, 35b into the advanced positions thereofalso serves to space arcuate inner surfaces 31, 31a, 31b of magnetmaterial elements 29, 29a, 29b within the preselected spatial range Rfrom circumferential surface 27 of rotor core 25 in its located positionwith rotational axis 49 of the rotor core and shaft 47 aligned withpreselected reference axis 57 of apparatus 21. Of course, arcuate innersurfaces 31, 31a, 31b of magnet material elements 29, 29a, 29b may alsohave high points or areas thereon due to manufacturing tolerancevariations in the magnet material elements, but it may be noted that thearcuate inner surfaces of the magnet material elements arepredeterminately spaced from circumferential surface 27 of rotor core 25within the preselected spacial range R when holders 35, 35a, 35b are inthe advanced positions thereof, respectively, as illustrated in FIG. 12.It has been found that when the tolerance variations between arcuateinner surfaces 31, 31a, 31b and arcuate outer surfaces 33, 33a, 33b ofmagnet material elements 29, 29a, 29b are at a minimum so that themagnet material elements are relatively thin, the preselected spatialrange R may be from generally, about 0.002 inches to about 0.003 inches,and when the tolerance variations between the arcuate inner and outersurfaces of the magnet material elements are at a maximum so that themagnet material elements are relatively thick, then preselected spatialrange R may be from generally about 0.020 inches to about 0.040 inches.While these variances in preselected spatial range R are believed to beeffective in the formation of rotatable assembly 23, it is contemplatedthat other spatial ranges may be utilized within the scope of theinvention so as to meet at least some of the objects thereof. Of course,this predetermined spacing between arcuate inner surfaces 31, 31a, 31bof magnet material elements 29, 29a, 29b and circumferential surface 27of rotor core 25 obviates engagement therebetween to prevent fracturing,cracking or chipping of the magnet material elements and therebycompensates for the aforementioned tolerance variation in the arcs ofthe arcuate surfaces of the magnet material elements as well astolerance variations which may occur in the concentricity of thecircumferential surface of the rotor core.

Generally as arcuate inner surfaces 31, 31a, 31b of magnet materialelements 29, 29a, 29b are brought into the facing and spaced apartrelation within the preselected spatial range R with circumferentialsurface 27 of rotor core 25, as mentioned above, the beads of hardenableadhesive material 51 on the arcuate inner surfaces of the magnetmaterial elements contact the circumferential surface of the rotor core,and at least a part of the hardenable adhesive matrial is therebydisplaced or flowed from the beaded configuration thereof so as to atleast fill the space established between the circumferential surface ofthe rotor core and the arcuate inner surfaces of the magnet materialelements, as best seen in FIGS. 11 and 12. As previously mentioned,circumferential surface 27 of rotor core 25 may be coated with anactivator for hardenable adhesive material 51, and within apredetermined period of time after the hardenable adhesive materialcontacts the activator therefor on the circumferential surface of therotor core, the hardenable adhesive material will set up or harden inplace in the spaces established between arcuate inner surfaces 31, 31a,31b of magnet material elements 29, 29a, 29b and the circumferentialsurface of the rotor core thereby to adhere thereto the magnet materialelements, as illustrated in FIG. 12. Thus, with magnet material elements29, 29a, 29b so adhered to rotor core 25 thereby to form rotatableassembly 23, it may be noted that arcuate outer surfaces 33, 33a, 33b ofthe magnet material elements in the locating engagement thereof witharcuate seats 59, 59a, 59b on holders 35, 35a, 35b define thepredetermined outside diameter D of the rotatable assembly and provide agenerally constant outer circumferential surface therefor. Thus,regardless of the aforementioned tolerance variations of magnet materialelements 29, 29a, 29b, predetermined outside diameter D of rotatableassembly 13 is constant or uniform, accurate and very closelycontrolled.

Upon the hardening or curing of hardenable adhesive material 51 adheringmagnet material elements 29, 29a, 29b to rotor core 25 thereby to formrotatable assembly 23, as discussed hereinabove, the rotatable assemblymay be removed from apparatus 21 by manually lifting or otherwisedisplacing the rotatable assembly from the apparatus thereby todisassociate shaft end portion 53 from mounting device 55 therefor.While the placement of rotor core 25 and shaft 47 into the locatedposition thereof in apparatus 21 and the removal of rotatable assembly23 from the apparatus has been disclosed herein as being effectedmanually, it is contemplated that such placement and removal may beeffected by various different transfer or robotic equipment associatedwith the apparatus within the scope of the invention so as to meet atleast some of the objects thereof. To complete the description of themethod of operating apparatus 21 to assemble rotatable assembly 23, theactuating means (not shown) for cam plate 39 may be further operated toeffect the rotation of the cam plate in the direction opposite thedirectional arrow in FIG. 3 thereby to again drivingly engage cams 41,41a , 41b with cam followers 37, 37a, 37b of holders 35, 35a, 35b fromthe advanced positions to the retracted positions thereof, respectively,subsequent to the removal of the rotatable assembly from the apparatus.Thus, regardless of the tolerance variations in the circumferentialsurface 27 of rotor 25 as may be defined by radius r thereof and thetolerance variation in the thickness t of magnet material elements 29,29a, 29b, it may be noted that the assembly method of the presentinvention automatically compensates for such tolerance variations so asto provide a uniform or constant outside diameter D on rotatableassembly 13, which outside diameter may be defined by the followingequation:

    D=2(t+r+R).

For instance, any tolerance variation in thickness t of any two ofmagnet material elements 29, 29a, 29b and any tolerance variation inradius r of rotor core 25 measured across any diameter or rotatableassembly 23 will be compensated for by the preselected spatial range Rin which arcuate inner surfaces 31, 31a, 31b of magnet material elements29, 29a, 29b are disposed with respect to circumferential surface 27 ofthe rotor core.

With reference again to the drawings in general and recapitulating atleast in part with respect to the foregoing, there is shown in one formof the invention apparatus 21 for assembling rotatable assembly 23adapted for use in a dynamoelectric machine (not shown) (FIGS. 1-11).Rotatable assembly 23 includes at least one rotatable member, such asrotor 25 for instance, having circumferential surface 27 thereon, magnetmaterial elements 29, 29a, 29b having generally arcuate inner and outersurfaces 31, 31a, 31b and 33, 33a, 33b, respectively, and hardenableadhesive material 51 disposed on at least one of the arcuate innersurfaces of the magnet material elements and the circumferential surfaceof the at least one rotatable member or rotor core, respectively (FIG.1). In apparatus 21, means, such as mounting device 53 or the like forinstance, is provided for disposing rotor core 25 in a preselectedposition (FIG. 10). A set of means, such as holders 35, 35a, 35b or thelike for instance, are movable toward assembly positions with respect torotor core 25 in the preselected position thereof and adapted forreceiving magnet material elements 29, 29a, 29b in preselected positionsthereon with arcuate inner surfaces 31, 31a, 31b of the magnet materialelements arranged generally in facing relation with circumferentialsurface 27 of the rotor core, respectively (FIGS. 2 and 3). Means, suchas cam plate 39 or the like for instance, is operable generally forcamming receiving means or holders 35, 35a, 35b toward their assemblypositions so as to space arcuate inner surfaces 31, 31a, 31b on magnetmaterial elements 29, 29a, 29b within the preselected spatial range Rfrom the circumferential surface 27 of rotor core 25 in the preselectedposition thereof with hardenable adhesive material 51 filling at leastthe spaces established between the arcuate inner surfaces of the magnetmaterial elements and the circumferential surface of the rotor core,respectively (FIGS. 3, 4, 11 and 12).

More particularly and with specific reference to FIGS. 2 and 10,apparatus 21 is provided with a base 83 on which cam plate 39 isreceived. A pair of generally axially aligned openings or passages 87,89 are generally centrally provided through base 83 and cam plate 39,respectively, and mounting device 55 is received at least in opening 89.The details of base 83 as well as the details of the support androtational association of cam plate 39 with the base are believed to bewell known to the art and are omitted for purposes of drawing simplicityand brevity of disclosure.

Mounting means 55 comprises a bushing 91 predeterminately arranged ordisposed in opening 89 of cam plate 39 of apparatus 21, and thecenterline axis of a bore 93 of the bushing defines preselectedreference axis 57 of the apparatus, as best seen in FIG. 10. Thus, whenrotor core 25 and shaft 47 are disposed in the located position thereofin apparatus 21, shaft end portion 53 is received in locating engagementwithin bore 93 of bushing 91 thereby to align rotational axis 49 of therotor core and shaft with preselected reference axis 57 of theapparatus. In order to locate rotor core 25 with respect to rotationalplate 39 so that circumferential surface 27 of the rotor core isdisposed to receive, in the aforementioned spaced apart relation magnetmaterial elements 29, 29a, 29b carried by holders 35, 35a, 35b,respectively, an end face of the rotor core is engaged with an upperface of bushing which in effects defines an annular spacer 95 or thelike, for locating the rotor core. As previously mentioned, it iscontemplated that various other means, such as transfer or roboticequipment for instance, may be associated with apparatus 21 instead ofmounting means 55 to maintain rotor core 25 and shaft 47 in the locatedposition thereof in the apparatus.

As best seen in FIGS. 3-5, cams or cam grooves or slots 41, 41a, 41bprovided in cam plate 39 have opposed sidewalls between which arereceived cam followers 37, 37a, 37b in driven engagement therewith,respectively. Cam followers 37, 37a, 37b each comprise a ball bearing 97having its outer race slidably engaged between the aforementionedopposed sidewalls of cam grooves 41, 41a, 41b and its inner racereceived about a stud 99 therefor, respectively. Studs 99 extend througha set of slides 101, 101a, 101b into threaded engagement with holders35, 35a, 35b, and the sides are reciprocally movable in slidingengagement between guides 69, 69a, 69b which are secured by suitablemeans to base 83 generally adjacent cam plate 39. Slides 101, 101a, 101bmay be configured to provide a support or seating means for magnetmaterial elements 29, 29a, 29b when they are disposed on holders 35,35a, 35b therefor, and although the slides and holders are illustratedherein for purposes of disclosure as being separate pieces, it iscontemplated that such slides and holders may be integral within thescope of the invention so as to meet at least some of the objectsthereof. Further, it is also contemplated that cams and cam followersother than those illustrated herein for purposes of disclosure may beutilized within the scope of the invention so as to meet at least someof the objects thereof.

With reference to FIGS. 2 and 6-9, supports 81, 81a, 81b are alsomounted by suitable means (not shown) to base 83 generally adjacent camplate 39, and the supports include a pair of guide rods 103, 103a, 103bon which a set of retractable clamps 105, 105a, 105b are reciprocallyreceived and on which springs 77, 77a, 77b are received in biasingengagement between the supports and the retractable clamps,respectively, as best seen in FIGS. 6-8. Retractable clamps 105, 105a,105b include a set of pivot blocks 107, 107a, 107b to which oppositejaws 75, 75a, 75b are pivotally mounted or interconnected by a set ofpivot pins 109, 109a, 109b, and the pivot blocks are slidably andguidably receivd on guide rods 103, 103a, 103b of supports 81, 81a, 81b,respectively. Springs 77, 77a, 77b on guide rods 103, 103a, 103b engagepivot blocks 107, 107 a, 107b urging retractable clamps 105, 105a, 105btoward the at-rest position thereof on supports 81, 81a, 81b withrespect to holders 35, 35a, 35b, and in such at-rest positions, opposedabutments 71, 71a, 71b and 73, 73a, 73b on jaws 75, 75a, 75b arearranged in spaced apart relation with opposite marginal edges 63, 63a,63b and 65, 65a, 65b on magnet material elements 29, 29a, 29b receivedin holders 35, 35a, 35b therefor, as previously discussed.

In the operation of apparatus 21, assume that the component partsthereof are in the positions illustrated in FIG. 2 and that rotor core25 and shaft 47 are in the located position thereof in the apparatusthereby to effect the alignment of rotational axis 49 of the rotor coreand shaft with preselected axis 57 of the apparatus, as best seen inFIG. 10 and as previously discussed. When magnet material elements 29,29a, 29b with hardenable adhesive material 51 applied thereto are placedin holders 35, 35a, 35b therefor in the at-rest positions thereof, themagnet material elements are supported on slides 101, 101a, 101b, andarcuate outer surfaces 33, 33a, 33b of the magnet material elements areattracted by permanent magnets 61, 61a, 61b into the surface-to-surfacerelation with arcuate seats 59, 59a, 59b of the holders, respectively,as best seen in FIG. 3. Further, opposed abutments 71, 71a, 71b and 73,73a, 73b of jaws 75, 75a, 75b are disposed at least adjacent and infacing relation with opposite marginal edges 63, 63a, 63b and 65, 65a,65b of the magnet material elements when they are received by holders35, 35a, 35b, respectively, as best seen in FIG. 6.

The acutating means (not shown) for cam plate 39 may be initiallyoperable to rotate cam plate 39 through its preselected arc or angle orrotation in the direction of the rotational arrow in FIG. 3, and inresponse to such rotation of the cam plate, cams 41, 41a, 41b thereofdrive cam followers 37, 37a, 37b to move holders 35, 35a, 35b from theat-rest positions toward the intermediate positions thereof,respectively. Of course, slides 101, 101a, 101b associated with holders35, 35a, 35b are in sliding engagement with guides 69, 69a, 69b therebyto direct the movement of the holders generally radially with respect topreselected reference axis 57 of apparatus 21. As best seen in FIGS. 6and 9, during the movement of holders 35, 35a, 35b toward theintermediate positions thereof, opposite marginal edges 63, 63a, 63b and65, 65a, 65b of magnet material elements 29, 29a, 29b carried on theholders are moved into engagement with opposed abutments 71, 71a, 71band 73, 73a, 73b of jaws 75, 75a, 75b, and in response to suchengagement, retractable clamps 105, 105a, 105b are conjointly movablefrom their at-rest positions with the holders toward the intermediatepositions thereof, respectively. Upon this conjoint movement ofretractable clamps 105, 105a, 105b with holders 35, 35a, 35b, pivotblocks 107, 107a, 107b are slidably moved on guide rods 103, 103a, 103bagainst the compressive forces of springs 77, 77a, 77b thereon, andmagnet material elements 29, 29a, 29b are adjustably moved into thepreselected position thereof on the holders, as discussed hereinabove.Thus, retractable clamps 105, 105a, 105b comprise a set of centeringengagement means or a set of movement means, respectively.

When holders 35, 35a, 35b and retractable clamps 105, 105a, 105b are inthe intermediate positions, the actuating means (not shown) for camplate 39 is operated to effect the return rotation of cam plate 39opposite the directional arrow in FIG. 3, and in response to such returnrotation of the cam plate, cams 41, 41a, 41b thereof drive cam followers37, 37a, 37b to return the holders from the intermediate positionstoward the at-rest positions thereof. The compressive forces of springs77, 77a, 77b biased between pivot blocks 107, 107a, 107b and supports81, 81a, 81b of retractable clamps 105, 105a, 105b drive the pivotblocks on guide rods 103, 103a, 103b to effect the return or followingmovement of the retractable clamps from the intermediate positionstoward the at-rest positions thereof conjointly with holders 35, 35a,35b, respectively. Thus, when retractable clamps 105, 105a, 105b attainthe at-rest positions thereof, holders 35, 35a, 35b are further movabletoward their at-rest positions relative to the retractable clamps intheir at-rest positions, respectively. Upon this relative movement ofholders 35, 35a, 35b, opposite marginal edges 63, 63a, 63b and 65, 65a,65b of magnet material elements 29, 29a, 29b are disengaged from opposedabutments 71, 71a, 71b and 73, 73a, 73b on jaws 75, 57a, 75b ofretractable clamps 105, 105a, 105b; however, it may be noted that themagnetic attraction between permanent magnets 61, 61a, 61b on holders35, 35a, 35b and the magnet material elements retain the magnet materialelements in the preselected positions thereof on the holders.

At least upon the return of retractable clamps 105, 105a, 105b to theirat-rest positions, motors 79, 79a, 79b may be actuated to retract orpivotally displace the retractable clamp toward the displaced positionsthereof, as best seen in FIG. 8. Upon such movement of retractableclamps 105, 105a, 105b toward their displaced positions, jaws 75, 75a,75b are conjointly pivoted on pivot pins 109, 109a, 109b about pivotblocks 107, 107a, 107b, and in this manner, opposed abutments 71, 71a,71b and 73, 73a, 73b on the jaws are pivotally displaced so as toobviate further engagement thereof with opposite marginal edges 63, 63a,63b and 65, 65a, 65b magnet material elements 29, 29a, 29b duringsubsequent movement of holders 35, 35a, 35b from the at-rest positionstoward the assembly positions thereof, as discussed hereinafter.

With retractable clamps 105, 105a, 105b in the pivotally displacedpositions thereof, the actuating means (not shown) for cam plate 39 isreactuated to effect the rotation of the cam plate through anotherpreselected arc or angle of rotation in the direction of the directionalarrow in FIG. 3, and in response to such rotation of the cam plate, cams41, 41a, 41b thereof drive cam followers 37, 37a, 37b to move holders35, 35a, 35b from the at-rest positions toward the assembly positionsthereof, respectively, as best seen in FIG. 11. Upon this movement ofholders 35, 35a, 35b into their assembly positions, magnet materialelements 29, 29a, 29b carried in the preselected positions thereof onthe holders are adhered by hardenable adhesive material 51 tocircumferential surface 27 of rotor core 25 thereby to complete theformation of rotatable assembly 23, as previously discussed hereinabove.With magnet material elements 29, 29a, 29b s adhered to rotor core 25,rotatable assembly 23 may be removed from apparatus 21 thereby todisassociate shaft end portion 53 from bore 93 of bushing 91 and todisassociate the magnet material elements from holders 35, 35a, 35btherefor, respectively. To complete the description of the operation ofapparatus 21, the actuating means (not shown) for cam plate 39 may befurther actuated to effect the return rotation of the cam plate therebyto move holders 35, 35a, 35b from the assembly positions to the at-restpositions thereof.

From the foregoing, it is now apparent that a novel apparatus 21 and anovel method of operating such have been presented meeting the objectsset out hereinbefore, as well as others, and it is contemplated thatchanges as to the precise arrangement, shapes, details and connectionsof the component parts utilized in such apparatus and method and also asto the precise steps and order thereof of such method may be made bythose having ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spiritof the invention or from the scope of the invention as set out by theclaims which follow.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the UnitedStates is:
 1. A method of operating apparatus for assembling a rotatableassembly adapted for use in a dynamo-electric machine, the rotatableassembly including a rotor core having a circumferential surface andsecured about a shaft therefor with the rotor core and shaft having arotational axis, a set of magnet material elements having generallyarcuate inner and outer surfaces interposed between a pair of generallyopposite marginal edges defining the arcuate lengths of the magnetmaterial elements, respectively, and a hardenable adhesive material, andthe apparatus including a mounting device defining a preselectedreference axis of the apparatus, a set of receiving means adapted formovement generally radially of the preselected reference axis betweenat-rest, intermediate and assembly positions, a set of another arcuatesurfaces on the receiving means having curvatures at least generallycorresponding to those of the arcuate outer surfaces of the magnetmaterial elements and having arcuate lengths less than those of themagnet material elements, a set of cam followers associated with thereceiving means, a set of permanent magnets associated with thereceiving means, a set of pairs of jaws having a pair of generallyopposed abutments thereon, respectively, camming means adapted forrotation, and a set of cams on the camming means, the method comprisingthe steps of:applying the hardenable adhesive material onto at least oneof the arcuate inner surfaces of the magnet material elements and thecircumferential surface of the rotor core, respectively; associating apart of the shaft with the mounting device and aligning thereby therotational axis of the rotor core and shaft with the preselectedreference axis of the apparatus, respectively; disposing the magnetmaterial elements in the receiving means in the at-rest positionsthereof and positioning the arcuate outer surfaces of the magnetmaterial elements at least generally in surface-to-surface relation withthe another arcuate surfaces of the receiving means so that the arcuateinner surfaces of the magnet material elements are arranged generally infacing relation with the circumferential surface of the rotor core,respectively; coupling magnetically the permanent magnet of thereceiving means with the magnet material elements and maintainingthereby the surface-to-surface relation between the arcuate outersurfaces of the magnet material elements and the another arcuatesurfaces of the receiving means, respectively; rotating the cammingmeans in one direction to drivingly engage the cams thereof with the camfollowers of the receiving means and moving thereby the receiving meansfrom the at-rest positions toward the intermediate positions thereof,respectively; engaging the opposite marginal edges of the magnetmaterial elements with the opposed abutments on the jaws upon themovement of the receiving means toward the intermediate positionsthereof, respectively; centering the arcuate lengths of the magnetmaterial elements generally between the opposed abutments of the jawsupon the engagements thereof with the opposite marginal edges of themagnet material elements and adjusting the magnet material elementsgenerally about the surface-to-surface relation of the arcuate outersurfaces thereof with the another arcuate surfaces of the receivingmeans thereby to at least generally align the centers of the arcuatelengths of the magnet material elements with the centers of the arcuatelengths of the another arcuate surfaces of the receiving means,respectively; rotating the camming means in another direction oppositethe one direction to drivingly engage the cams thereof with the camfollowers of the receiving means and returning the receiving means fromthe intermediate positions at least in part toward the at-rest positionsthereof, respectively; disengaging the opposite marginal edges of themagnet material elements from the opposed abutments of the jaws upon thereturning movement of the receiving means at least in part toward theat-rest positions thereof and actuating the jaws to positions displacingthe opposed abutments thereof from the receiving means, respectively;rerotating the camming means again in the one direction to drivinglyengage the cams thereof with the cam followers upon the actuation of thejaws to effect the displacement of the opposed abutments thereof andeffecting thereby the movement of the receiving means toward theassembly positions thereof, respectively; spacing the arcuate innersurfaces of the magnet material elements on the receiving means within apreselected spatial range from the circumferential surface of the rotorcore and dispersing the hardenable adhesive material on the at least oneof the arcuate inner surfaces of the magnet material elements and thecircumferential surface of the rotor core to at least fill the spacesestablished between the arcuate inner surfaces of the magnet materialelements and the circumferential surface of the rotor core upon themovement of the receiving means into the assembly positions thereof,respectively; and curing the hardenable adhesive material to effect thehardening thereof.
 2. The method as set forth in claim 1 wherein theapparatus further includes a set of means for centering engagement withthe opposite marginal edges of the magnet material elements and whereinthe effecting and adjusting step includes associating the centeringengagement means with the opposite marginal edges of the magnet materialelements and centering the arcuate lengths of the magnet materialelements with respect to the another arcuate surfaces of the receivingmeans thereby to effect the adjustment of the magnet material elementsinto the preselected positions thereof, respectively.
 3. A method ofoperating apparatus for assembling a rotatable assembly adapted for usein a dynamoelectric machine, the rotatable assembly including at leastone rotatable member having a circumferential surface and a rotationalaxis, a set of magnet material elements having generally arcuate innerand outer surfaces interposed between a pair of generally oppositemarginal edges defining the arcuate lengths of the magnet materialelements, respectively, and a hardenable adhesive material, and theapparatus having a preselected reference axis and including a set ofreceiving means adapted for movement generally radially of thepreselected reference axis at least between at-rest positions andassembly positions, a set of another arcuate surfaces on the receivingmeans, a set of cam followers associated with the receiving means, andcamming means adapted for selective actuation and having a set of cammeans for driving engagement with the cam followers, respectively, themethod comprising the steps of:placing the at least one rotatable memberin a preselected located position with the rotational axis thereof atleast generally coincidental with the preselected reference axis of theapparatus; arranging the arcuate outer surfaces of the magnet materialelements generally in surface-to-surface engagement with the anotherarcuate surfaces of the receiving means and facing thereby the arcuateinner surfaces of the magnet material elements generally about thecircumferential surface of the at least one rotatable member in thepreselected located position thereof when the receiving means are in theat-rest positions thereof, respectively; effecting the selectiveactuation of the camming means to drivingly engage the cam means thereofwith the cam followers thereby to initiate the movement of the receivingmeans from the at-rest positions toward the assembly positions thereofand adjusting the magnet material elements on the receiving means toarrange the arcuate outer surfaces of the magnet material elements inpreselected positions with the another arcuate surfaces of the receivingmeans, respectively; and spacing the arcuate inner surfaces of themagnet material elements within a preselected spatial range from thecircumferential surface of the at least one rotatable member in itspreselected located position upon the movement of the receiving meansinto the assembly positions thereof, respectively.
 4. The method as setforth in claim 3 wherein the rotatable assembly further includes ahardenable adhesive material and comprising the preliminary step ofapplying the hardenable adhesive material onto at least one of thearcuate inner surfaces of the magnet material elements and thecircumferential surface of the at least one rotatable member,respectively.
 5. The method as set forth in claim 4 wherein the spacingstep includes dispersing the hardenable adhesive material on the atleast one of the arcuate inner surfaces of the magnet material elementsand the circumferential surface of the at least one rotatable member andfilling thereby at least the spaces established between the arcuateinner surfaces of the magnet material elements and the circumferentialsurface of the at least one rotatable member upon the movement of thereceiving means into the assembly positions thereof, respectively. 6.The method as set forth in claim 5 comprising the additional step ofcuring the hardenable adhesive material to effect its hardening therebyto adhere the magnet material elements to the at least one rotatablemember, respectively.
 7. A method of operating apparatus for assemblinga rotatable assembly adapted for use in a dynamoelectric machine, therotatable assembly including at least one rotatable member having acircumferential surface, and a set of magnet material elements havinggenerally arcuate inner and outer surfaces, respectively, and theapparatus including a set of means adapted for receiving the magnetmaterial elements, a set of cam followers associated with the receivingmeans, and camming means adapted for selective actuation and having aset of cams thereon, respectively, the method comprising the stepsof:placing the at least one rotatable member in a preselected positionwith respect to the receiving means, respectively; receiving the magnetmaterial elements in the receiving means and adjusting the magnetmaterial elements into preselected positions therefor on the receivingmeans, respectively; effecting the selective actuation of the cammingmeans and drivingly engaging thereby the cams thereof with the camfollowers of the receiving means, respectively; and camming thereceiving means generally conjointly into assembly positions thereforwith respect to the at least one rotatable member in its preselectedposition in response to the effecting and drivingly engaging step andplacing the arcuate inner surfaces of the magnet material elements inthe preselected positions thereof on the receiving means within apreselected spatial range from the circumferential surface of the atleast one rotatable member upon the camming of the receiving means intothe assembly positions thereof, respectively.
 8. The method as set forthin claim 7 wherein the receiving means include a set of another arcuatesurfaces and wherein the receiving and adjusting step includes arrangingthe arcuate outer surfaces of the magnet material elements and theanother arcuate surfaces of the receiving means generally insurface-to-surface relation with the inner arcuate surfaces of themagnet material elements arranged generally in facing relation with thecircumferential surface of the at least one rotatable member,respectively.
 9. The method as set forth in claim 7 comprising thepreliminary step of disposing a hardenable adhesive material on at leastone of the arcuate inner surfaces of the magnet material elements andthe circumferential surface of the at least one rotatable member, thehardenable adhesive material filling at least the space establishedbetween the arcuate inner surfaces of the magnet material elements andthe circumferential surface of the at least one rotatable member inresponse to the camming and placing step, respectively.
 10. The methodas set forth in claim 7 wherein the camming and placing step includesadjusting the magnet material elements into preselected locatedpositions therefor on the receiving means, respectively.
 11. Apparatusfor assembling a rotatable assembly for a dynamoelectric machine withrespect to a preselected reference axis, the rotatable assemblyincluding a rotor core having a circumferential surface and securedabout a shaft and with the rotor core and shaft having a rotationalaxis, a set of magnet material elements having generally arcuate innerand outer surfaces interposed between a pair of generally oppositemarginal edges defining the arcuate lengths of the magnet materialelements, respectively, and a hardenable adhesive material disposed onat least one of the arcuate inner surfaces of the magnet materialelements and the circumferential surface of the rotor core, and therotatable assembly also having a preselected spatial range between thecircumferential surface of the rotor core and the arcuate inner surfacesof the magnet material elements, respectively, the apparatuscomprising:a base; mounting means defining the preselected axisassociated with said base and arranged for locating engagement with apart of the shaft so as to at least generally align the rotational axisof the rotor core and shaft with the preselected axis; a cam platerotatably associated with said base and including a set of cams and anopening to accommodate the rotatable assembly when the shaft part is inthe locating engagement thereof with said mounting means; a set of meansmovable generally radially with respect to the preselected referenceaxis between at-rest, intermediate and advanced positions and arrangedfor receiving the magnet material elements, respectively, said receivingmeans including a set of seating means for supporting said magnetmaterial elements, a set of another arcuate surfaces arranged generallyin surface-to-surface engagement with the arcuate outer surfaces of themagnet material elements so that the arcuate inner surfaces thereof aredisposed generally in facing relation with the circumferential surfaceof the rotor core, said another arcuate surfaces each having a radiusgenerally in radial alignment with the preselected reference axis and atleast generally corresponding to that of the arcuate outer surfaces ofthe magnet material elements and each having an arcuate lengthpredeterminately less than that of the magnet material elements, a setof means associated with said receiving means and operable generally formagnetically coupling with the magnet material elements to maintain thesurface-to-surface engagement between the arcuate outer surfaces of themagnet material elements and said another arcuate surfaces of saidreceiving means, and a set of cam follower means associated with saidreceiving means for driven engagement with said cam means in said camplate to effect the movement of said receiving means between theat-rest, intermediate and advanced positions thereof, respectively; aset of means associated with said base and extending generally inoverlaying relation with said cam plate for guiding said receiving meansbetween the at-rest, intermediate and advanced positions thereofgenerally radially with respect to the preselected reference axis,respectively; a set of means mounted with said base for centering themagnet material elements with respect to said another arcuate surfacesof said receiving means and movable both conjointly with said receivingmeans at least in part between the at-rest and intermediate positionsthereof and pivotally with respect thereto toward a displaced position,said centering means including a set of generally opposed pairs ofabutments arranged to engage the opposite marginal edges of the magnetmaterial elements upon the movement of said receiving means from theat-rest positions toward the intermediate positions thereof, saidcentering means being conjointly movable with said receiving meanstoward the intermediate positions thereof and the outer arcuate surfacesof the magnet material elements being adjustably moved on said anotherarcuate surfaces of said receiving means in the surface-to-surfaceengagement thereof so as to align the centers of the arcuate lengths ofthe magnet material elements with the centers of the arcuate lengths ofsaid another arcuate surfaces of said receiving means in response to theengagement of said opposed abutments with the opposite marginal edges ofthe magnet material elements, respectively; and a set of meansassociated with said centering means and operable generally foreffecting the pivotal movement of said centering means toward thedisplaced position thereof so as to disengage said opposed abutments ofsaid centering means from the opposite marginal edges of the magnetmaterial elements subsequent to the alignment of the centers of thearcuate lengths of the magnet material elements and said another arcuatesurfaces of said receiving means, respectively, said cam plate beingselectively rotatable to drivingly engage said cam means thereof withsaid follower means of said receiving means thereby to move saidreceiving means between the at-rest, intermediate and advanced positionsthereof, respectively, said cam plate being initially selectivelyrotatable to move said receiving means from the at-rest positions towardthe intermediate positions thereof and subsequent to the operation ofsaid pivotal movement effecting means said cam plate also being furtherselectively rotatable to move said receiving means toward the advancedpositions thereof independently of said centering means in the displacedpositions thereof so as to space the arcuate inner surfaces of themagnet material elements within the preselected spatial range from thecircumferential surface of the rotor core with the hardenable adhesivematerial at least filling the space between the arcuate inner surfacesof the magnet material elements and the circumferential surface of therotor core when said receiving means are in the advanced positionsthereof, respectively.
 12. The apparatus as set forth in claim 11further comprising a set of resilient means operable generally foropposing the conjoint movement of said pivotal movement effecting meanswith said receiving means, respectively.
 13. The apparatus as set forthin claim 11 wherein said pivotal movement effecting means each include apivot block, a pair of spaced apart jaws spanning respective ones ofsaid receiving means and with each jaw having a pair of opposite endportions, one of said adjacent opposite end portions of said jaws beingpivotally interconnected with said pivot block and the other of saidadjacent opposite ends of said jaws defining said opposed abutments,respectively, and said jaws being pivotally movable about said pivotblock in response to the operation of said pivotal movement effectingmeans, respectively.
 14. The apparatus as set forth in claim 11 furthercomprising a set of means mounted to said base for supporting saidmovement means, each supporting means including a pair of means forguiding engagement with said pivot block thereby to direct the conjointmovement of said movement means with said receiving means toward theintermediate position thereof, respectively.
 15. The apparatus as setforth in claim 14 wherein said supporting means each further includes apair of spring means disposed about said guiding engagement means andengaged with said pivot block for opposing the conjoint movement of saidmovement means with said receiving means toward the intermediatepositions thereof, respectively.
 16. Apparatus for assembling arotatable assembly for use in a dynamoelectric machine with respect to apreselected axis of the apparatus, the rotatable assembly including arotor core having a circumferential surface and secured about a shafttherefor with the rotor core and shaft having a rotational axis, a setof magnet material elements having generally arcuate inner and outersurfaces interposed between a pair of generally opposite marginal edgesdefining the arcuate lengths of the magnet material elements, and ahardenable adhesive material disposed on at least one of the arcuateinner surfaces of the magnet material elements and the circumferentialsurface of the rotor core, respectively, the apparatuscomprising:mounting means defining the preselected reference axis andarranged for locating engagement with a part of the shaft so as to atleast generally align the rotational axis of the rotatable assembly withthe preselected reference axis; a set of means for receiving the magnetmaterial elements and movable generally radially with respect to thepreselected reference axis between at-rest and assembly positions,respectively, said receiving means including a set of another arcuatesurfaces associated generally in surface-to-surface relation with thearcuate outer surfaces of the magnet material elements so that thearcuate inner surfaces thereof are arranged generally in facing relationwith the circumferential surface of the rotor core when the shaft partis in the locating engagement thereof with the mounting means and whenthe magnet material elements are received in the receiving means, and aset of cam followers associated with said receiving means, respectively;a set of means associated generally in sliding engagement with saidreceiving means for guiding said receiving means generally radially withrespect to the preselected reference axis upon the movement of saidreceiving means between the at-rest and assembly positions thereof,respectively; and camming means selectively rotatable in one directionand another direction opposite thereto and including a set of cam meansassociated in driving engagement with said follower means of saidreceiving means and operable generally in response to the selectiverotation in the one direction of said camming means for effecting themovement of said receiving means from the at-rest position toward theassembly positions thereof generally along said guiding means therefor,the arcuate inner surfaces of the magnet material elements being spacedwithin a preselected spatial range from the circumferential surface ofthe rotor core with the hardenable adhesive material at least fillingthe space established therebetween when said receiving means are in theassembly positions thereof, respectively.
 17. Apparatus for assembling arotatable assembly for use in a dynamoelectric machine with respect to apreselected reference axis, the rotatable assembly including at leastone rotatable member having a rotational axis and a circumferentialsurface, a set of magnet material elements having generally arcuateinner and outer surfaces, and a hardenable adhesive material disposed onat least one of the inner arcuate surfaces of the magnet materialelements and the circumferential surface of the at least one rotatablemember, the apparatus comprising:means defining the preselected axis andarranged for locating the at least one rotatable member in a locatedposition with the rotational axis thereof at least generally inalignment with the preselected axis; a set of means operable generallyfor advancing the magnet material elements toward assembly positions soas to space the arcuate inner surfaces of the magnet material elementswithin a preselected spatial range from the circumferential surface ofthe at least one rotatable member in the located position thereof andwith the hardenable adhesive material at least filling the spaceestablished therebetween, respectively, and said advancing meansincluding a set of means for engagement with the arcuate outer surfacesof the magnet material elements to arrange the arcuate outer surfaces atleast generally coaxially about the preselected reference axis,respectively; and means selectively operable for effecting the operationof said advancing means and including a set of cam means for drivingengagement with parts of said advancing means, respectively.
 18. Theapparatus as set forth in claim 17 wherein said advancing means partscomprise a set of means associated with said advancing means andoperable generally for following engagement with said cam means,respectively.
 19. The apparatus as set forth in claim 17 furthercomprising a set of means associated with said advancing means forguiding said advancing means toward the assembly positions thereof uponthe selective operation of said operation effecting means, respectively.20. The apparatus as set forth in claim 17 further comprising a set ofmeans operable generally in association with said advancing means foradjusting the magnet material elements into preselected positionstherefor on said advancing means upon the operation of the advancingmeans toward the assembly positions thereof, respectively.
 21. Theapparatus as set forth in claim 17 further comprising a set of meansoperable generally for magnetically retaining the magnet materialelements on said advancing means, respectively.
 22. Apparatus forassembling a rotatable assembly adapted for use in a dynamoelectricmachine, the rotatable assembly including at least one rotatable memberhaving a circumferential surface, a set of magnet material elementshaving generally arcuate inner and outer surfaces, and a hardenableadhesive material disposed on at least one of the arcuate inner surfacesof the magnet material elements and the circumferential surface of theat least one rotatable member, respectively, the apparatuscomprising:means for disposing the at least one rotatable member in apreselected position; a set of means movable toward assembly positionswith respect to the at least one rotatable member in the preselectedposition thereof and arranged for receiving the magnet material elementsin preselected positions thereon with the arcuate inner surfaces of themagnet material elements arranged generally in facing relation with thecircumferential surface of the at least one rotatable member,respectively; and means operable generally for camming said receivingmeans toward their assembly positions so as to space the arcuate innersurfaces of the magnet material elements within a preselected spatialrange from the circumferential surface of the at least one rotatablemember in the preselected position thereof with the hardenable adhesivematerial at least filling the space established between the arcuateinner surfaces of the magnet material elements and the circumferentialsurface of the at least one rotatable member, respectively.
 23. Theapparatus as set forth in claim 22 further comprising a set of meansassociated with said receiving means for guiding said receiving meanstoward the assembly positions thereof upon the operation of said cammingmeans, respectively.
 24. The apparatus as set forth in claim 22 whereinsaid receiving means include a set of means operable generally formagnetically retaining the magnet material elements in the preselectedpositions thereof, respectively.
 25. The apparatus as set forth in claim22 further comprising a set of means operable generally in associationwith said receiving means for adjusting the magnet material elementsinto the preselected positions thereof on said receiving means,respectively.
 26. The apparatus as set forth in claim 22 wherein saidcamming means includes a set of cams arranged in driving engagement withparts of said receiving means to effect the movement of said receivingmeans generally conjointly toward the assembly positions thereof,respectively.
 27. The apparatus as set forth in claim 26 wherein saidreceiving means parts comprise a set of cam followers associated withreceiving means and disposed in driven engagement with said cams,respectively.
 28. The apparatus as set forth in claim 22 wherein saidreceiving means include a set of another arcuate surfaces arrangedgenerally in surface-to-surface relation with the outer arcuate surfaceof the magnet material elements in the preselected positions thereof onsaid receiving means, and the outer arcuate surfaces of the magnetmaterial elements defining a preselected constant outside diameter ofthe rotatable assembly when said receiving means are in the assemblypositions thereof, respectively.